Bottom hole or subsurface sampler



3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR ROBERT c. PRYoR R. C. PRYOR Filed Feb. 17, 1941 4BY l I fh ANOEM Feb. 22,1944.

BOTTOM HOLE. OR` SUBSURFACE SAMPLER Feb. 22, 1944. R. `cz. PRYOR 2,342,367

u BOTTOM-HOLE OR SUBSURFACE SAMPLER Filed Feb. 1'7`, 1941 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR ROBERT CZMPRYOR Patented Feb. 2 2, i944 Y UNITED STAT -norroM noLnoa snnsnamcn SAMPLER Robert C. Pryor, Bartlesville, Okla.; assignor to ompany,` a dcorporation of Phillips Petroleum C Delaware Application rebrimry 17,1941,'seriaiNa`37a3s5 9 claims. (ci. 16s-1a) Y covery f hydrocarbon iiuids and determine what methods oi production will recover the maximum- `quantity of hydrocarbon iluid from the reservoir.

In the datal enumerated above, the reservoir uid characteristics are especially useful in predicting the behavior of the iluid in a hydrocarbon-bearing reservoir during the productive life of the reservoir. It is to be noted that hydrocarbon oil and gas producedv at the surface Aof thesroimd has an entirely diierent set ofphysical characteristics at normal atmospheric pressure and temperature than the same oil and gas has' in the reservoir at lsuperatmospheric pressure and temperature. Hence, it is very desirable to obtain uid samples which are truly representative of reservoir conditions.

hydrocarbon .uids.

l sion of a sampling device which'is sentative subsurface or bottom hole samples A further object of my invention is the provipositive in action and simple in operation.

' ,These and additional objects anclradvantages will be apparent to persons skilled in the art by Y parts'in the position they assume after a sample v reference to the following description and annexed drawings; wherein, A l

Figure 1 is an elevation view, partly in-cross section, of the upper portion of the invention in open position;v

Figure 2 is an elevation. view, partly in cross section,'of the lower portion of the invention in open position; 1

Figure 3'is the same as Figure 1, but with the t vis obtained;

The art of obtaining bottom hole samples of hydrocarbon iluids and transferring the sample .unchanged from the sampler to laboratory apparatus for study, is generally known inthe in- 4 dustry. Considerablel climculty has been experienced in the past in obtaining a truly representative reservoir sample `of hydrocarbon iluid. The devices which are now available to the industry for obtaining bottom hole samples have faulty design and construction, whereby the escape of gas or liquid tromthe sampler makes the remaining sample of iluid non-representative o f the reservoir.

My instant invention is designed to prevent the escape oigas or liquid from the sampler. *The sampler is positive in action and simple inoperation, requiringno auxiliary equipment, such as l Figure 4 is the same as Figure 2l, but with the parts in the position they assume after a sample is obtained; ,v

- Figure 5 is anv enlarged elevationview oi' the interlocking'mechanisni, partly in cross section; and, l Figure 6 is atop plan view of the interlocking mechanism illustrated in Figure 5.

,Referring to the drawings and more particularly to Figures 1 and 2,'1 have shown a device consisting of a jarring member IIl and three chambers, namely, a top spring chamber Il, a

iluid chamber I2; and a bottom spring chamber |3. Member Iii includes aflshing head I4, hav- "".ing .a central bore I5 that is adapted to receive a wireline or cable (not shown) by which my device is lowered into or withdrawn from a wellY bore. Suitable notches I B are provided von the external periphery of the fishing head to facili- 'tate recovery-of the device in event that it becomes lost or stuck in the'well bore. The fishing head is threadedly connected to the upper portion of a plug II. The plughas-a lower cenclocks, vacuum pumps, batteries, discs, andthe like.. l

My invention has for its primary-object the provision of an improved device i'orobtainii'ig fluid samples and more particularly for obtaining iluid samples from well bores.

VAnother' 'object of my invention isl the proviv sion or a `sampling deviceior obtaining repretrai bore I8 which is provided Vwith a cap I9.; An

` element 20 containedin bore I8 is threadedly con-` nectedto the top of `a rod 2I that slides freely through cap l! and throughra second cap 22 which has internal threads for attachment to the upper portion of a mandrel 23. Another element 2l, positionedV iii-abore 25 oi' the mandrel, is threadedly connectedto the bottom of the rod.

.It 1ste benoten that ma 2|, elements 2|' and 2l, and caps Il and 22 provide a means for connecting 'jarring member I0 to the rest of the The top spring chamber Il is formedby the interior o! a tubular member which externally threaded at its upper'endto receive the bottom portion of mandrel 23 and which is internally threaded on its lower end to engage the top part of a valve member 21. A compression spring 28 of any desired strength is contained within tubular member 26. 'Ihis spring is concentric With an upper valve stem 29 and iS positioned intermediate a partition 30 and a collar 3l which is secured to the valve stem., It will be noted that the top of, stem 29 is at 32- Where it contacts another stem 33. Stem 33 is threadedly connected to element 24 and Carries a removable shear pin 34 which holds stem 33, and hence, stem 29 in a predetermined position against the action of compression spring 28. Valve stem 29 extends downwardly from spring 28 through a passage 35 in valve member 21 and the lower end is attached to an upper valve 36. An upper valve seat 31, which is frustreconical in shape, is provided in the lower part of passage 35. .The valve seat is/provided with an insert 38 made of any resilient and readily distortable material. While natural rubber compounds may be employed in some instances, I

nd that these compounds tend to deteriorate when left for appreciable periods of time in the solid materials, which cling to the surface oi theY valve and: the insert, will be forced into the insert and thus will not holdthe valve o its seat. ,A threaded ring 39 holdsinsert 38 in place and prevents leakage of fluid between the insert and valve seat31.'

A tubularmember 49, v'internally threaded at both ends, constitutes the outer wall of iluid chamber I2. A sealing ring 4|preferably com posed of aluminum, is providedbetween tubular member 40 and plug 21 to obtain an effective iluid seal. It will be noted that asimilar sealing means is used in other portions of the apparatus.

An interlocking valve mechanism 42 is threadedlyv positioned in chamber I2. The mechanism embodies an inner stationary member 43 which is flanged at the top, a lower element 44 which is threadedly .connected to the bottom of the inner member, an outer member 45 which is slidable on the inner member and onlower element 44, and a compression spring 46 which is contained in annular space 4 1. Referring to the enlarged views ofthe interlocking mechanism, shown in Figures and -6, it will be noted that theflanged top of inner member 43'is1 provided with passages 48'. Member 43 also has a central vertical passage 49 and a transverse passage 50.

A pin' 5I which extends diametrlcallyl through outer member 45 and passagel 59 has a limited slidable movement in the passage. As this pin `is secured .o the outer member 45, passage 50 limits the movement of the outer member with respect to inner member 43. A stop pin 52 is diametricallydisposed through inner member 43 at right angles to pin 5I. As shownin. Figure 2, a stem 53 is threadedly connected to valve 36 and extends downwardly into passage 49. When this valveis open, the base of the stem rests on pin 5I. A second stem 54, which extends up- -wardly into passage 49, is connected to a lower valve 55 which is identical to valve 36. The design of the interlocking mechanism, as shown in the drawings, includes a plurality of radially disposed circular passages 56 in the-inner member, a like number of recesses 51 in outer member 45, and a like number of steel balls 58 which are movable within the aforementioned passages. It 5 will be noted that the length of a passage 56 is slightly less than the diameter of a ball 58. When recesses 51 are opposite passages 56, balls 58 may be urged back through the passages 56 andinto recesses 51. Thus, the balls will not protrude into the central passage 49 as they will do when passages 56 and their companion recesses are not opposite to each other. When the relative positions of the inner and outer members of the interlocking mechanism are as shown in Figure 5, stem 54 may be moved upwardly until the top of the stem contacts` pin 52. Referring again to Figure 2, youwill note that stem 54 is provided with an arcuate groove 59 which is at the same level as passages 56 when the 2o `top of the stem is against pin 52. With stem 54 in this position, balls 58 can be protruded into groove 59 by moving the outer member 45 downwardly to a lower fixed position. As outer member 45 can be maintained in the lower fixed position against the force of compression spring 46 by the cooperation of key 36 with mandrel 23, fstem 33, valve stem 29, valve 36, stem 53, and pin 5I, balls 58 can be protruded through passage 56 to engage groove 59 where the balls prevent stem 54 from moving downwardly.

' Open guide means 69 are provided on stem 54 to facilitate the proper seating of valve 55 on a lower valve seat 6I. The valve seat is provided Awith an insert 62 which is held in place by a threaded ring 63. It will be noted that the valve seat, insert, and ring are identical to valveseat 31, insert 38, and ring 39, which have been described above. Valve seat 6I is formed in the upper end of a lower valve member 64 Awhich contains the bottom-spring chamber I3. A compression spring 65 of any desired strength is positioned within the chamber between the top oi the chamber and a collar 66 which is threadedly connected to the lower end of a. lower valve stem 61. The lower valve stem extends upwardly through a passage 68 and is threaded at its upper end to connect with valve 55.- The lower end of member 64 is externally threaded at 69 tie) engage an internally threaded protector ring For the purpose of describing the operation of my invention, let us assume that the device has beenassembled and that the relative position of the various parts are as shown in Figures 3 and 4 .55 with valves 3B and 55 closed. In order to obtain a uid sample, valves 36 and 55 must first be held open as shown in Figures 1 and 2. This is accomplished by setting interlocking mechanism 42. Mandrel 23 with all the parts positioned 50 thereabove is removed from the remainder of the device'by unscrewing the lower portion of the mandrel from the upper portion of tubular member 26.

' through the mandrel until it assumes the posi- 65 tion illustrated in Figure l and a shear pin 34 is' placed through the stem to thereby limit the upward movement of this stem with respect to the mandrel. Turningnext to the bottom of the device, it is recommended that a suitable tool, such as a rod (not shown), be serted through the open end of ring 1U and nst collar 66 to force valve stem 61 upwardlyA inst the action of compression spring 65 to t... y raise valve olf its seat. As valve 55 is n d oi its seat, stem 54 is moved upwardly in pesage 49 until Stem 33 is moved downwardly 'r i j 2,842,367 the top oi' the stem contacts pin 52.- with stem- 54 in this position, mandrel 23 is replaced on tubular member 26. As the mandrel is screwed on member 26, stem 33 contacts upper valve stem 29 at its top 32 and 4forces stem 25 downwardly against the action of compression spring 28. The downward movement of stem 29 moves valve 35 otr its seat, and moves stem downwardly in passage 49 where the 'stem' contactsipin 5l. Further downward movement of valve 38 and stem 53 causes pin 5| to move downwardly in groove'50. As pin 5l is secured .to outer mernbex 45, the outer member will be forced downwardly against the compressive force of spring 45. As the groove 58 in stem 54 is now opposite passages 55, thedownward movement of the outer member 45 urges balls 58 from recesses 51 into the groove. When mandrel 23 is completely connected to member 26, valve 55 will be fully open and outer member 45 will be at its lower limit ofvtravel where it fully covers the outer ends ofY passages 53, projecting balls 58 into groove 59.

.and thus preventing downward movement of The device is then lowered into the wellbore to a predetermined depth where a duid sample .is obtained lli/chamber I2. Due tothe relatively small mass of jarring member i and the large mass of the rest of Athe device; it is possible by end of stem 53.4 With pin 5| free, spring 46- forces outer member 45 upwardly until recesses 5'! are opposite passages 55. When outer-inem` ber 45 assumes this relative position with inner member 48, valve mechanism 42 is unlocked. Balls 58, which held stem -54 in a fixed position against the forcevof'compression spring 65 by protruding intogroove 59, are urged from the arcuate groove into their respective passages 55 and recesses 51. Stem 54 thenmoves downwardly in passage 49, due to the action Aof spring 65, until lower valve 55 is fully closed. With valves 36and 55 closed,` the uid sample is now procured and the samplingdevice is ready to be withdrawn'from the well bore..

It will be noted that compression springs 28 and 55 are of suiilcient strength to hold valves V35 and 55, respectively, firmly enough on their seats to prevent leakage of fluidfrom chamber l2. -As valve inserts 38 and 5 2 are resilient and :dist-.ambie any song materials entramed in the -well iluid will be depressed into the valve insert by the force ofl the springs, completely sealing the valve. This positive action is highly desirable for obtaining fluid samples from-low pressure formations. If the sample of fluid obtained isffrom a' high pressure formation, the pressure `of the`uid in chamber I2 will force the valves tighter on their seats as the device is withdrawn from thewell bore and the pressure onthe outside of the device decreases. Y

From the foregoing,l itis believed that the .con-

struction,` operation l and advantages of my by persons skilled in the art. It is to be understood that the form of this invention, herewith shown and described, is to be take ,as a pre- 5 `i'erred. example of the same and t` at variousV changes in size, shape and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the \spirit of this invention as dened by the apnded claims.

i claim: L L ln a device for obtaining 4representative sampl of iluid from a well bore,.the combination co rising a housing, a pair of valve seats spaced one above the other within the housing l5 and forming a fluid chamber therebetween, a pair ot valve members cooperating with the valve seats to form fluid seals therewith. a chamber above the-upper A'valve seat and a chamber below the lower valve\seat, means within the two last mentioned chambers for normally urging each valve member into closed position, and detent means including a destructible member for maintaining the valve members in open positions against the action of the first mentioned means. `5 2. In' a device vfor obtaining representative samples of ilui'd from a well bore, the combination comprising a housing, a pair of valve seats spaced one above the other within the housing and forming a iluil chamber therebetween, a pair of valve members cooperating with the valve seats to form uid seals therewith, a chamber above the upper valve seat and a chamber below the lower valve seat, means within the two last mentioned chambers for normally urging each valve member into closed position, and detent means including a shearable member for maintaining the valve members in open positions against the action of the first mentioned means.

3. In a device for obtaining representative samples of fluid from a well bore, the combination comprising a housing, a pair of valve seats spaced one above the' other within the housing and forming a fluid chamber therebetween, a pair of valve members'cooperating with the valve seats to form fluid seals therewith, a chamber above the upper valve seat and a chamber below the lower valve seat, means within the two last mentioned chambers i'or normally urging each valve member into closed position, and detent .means including a slidablemember and a shear member associated therewith for maintaining the valve members in open positions against the action'of the tlrst mentioned means.

y 4. In a device for obtaining representative samples of duid from a well bore, the combination comprising a housing, a pair of valve seats spaced one above the other within the'housing and forming a fluid chamber therebetween, a pair oi valve members cooperating with the valve seats 'to form fluid seals therewith, a chamber above the upper valveseat and a chamber below the lower valve seat, means including a spring and a valve stem in each of the two last meth.

tioned chambers `for normally urging each valve 6 5 member into closed position, and detent means the valve members in open position against the action of the ilrst mentioned means. y5. In .a device for .obtaining representativ tion comprising a housing, a pair of valve seats and 'forming a fluid fchamb'er therebetween,/a pair of valve members-cooperatingwiththe valve seatsto form iluid sealstherewith, a chamber present invention will be readily comprehended `including a destructible member for maintaining samples of iluid from a well bore, the combinaabove the upper valve seat and a chamber below the lower valve seat, means including a spring andl a valve stem in each o! the two last mentioned chambers for normally urging each valve member into closed position, and detent means including a shearable member for maintaining the valve members in open positions against the action of the-nrst mentioned means.

6. In a device for obtaining representative samples of fluid from a well bore, the combination comprising a housing, a pair of valve seats spaced one above the other within the housing y and forming a iiuid chamber therebetween, a

pair of valve members cooperating with the valve seats to form fluid seals therewith, a chamber above the upper valve seat and a chamber below the lower valveseat, means including a spring and a valve stem in each o! the twolast mentioned chambers for normally urging each valve member into closed position, and detent means including a slidable member and a shear memher associated therewith for maintaining the valve members in open position against the action of the first mentioned means.

7. In a .device for obtainingl representativel samples of tluid from a -well bore, the combination comprising a housing, a pair of valve seats spaced one above the other within the housing and forming a iiuid chamber therebetween, a pair oi' valve members cooperating with the valve seats to form uid seals therewith, a chamber above the upper valve seat and a chamber below the lower valve seat, means within the two last mentioned chambers for normally urging each ing destruction of the destructible member and release of the valve members. Y

8. In a device for obtaining representative samples of iluid from a well bore. the combination comprising a housing, a pair oi valveseats spaced one above the other within the housing and forming a iluid chamber therebetween, a pair of valve members cooperating with the valve seats to form iluid seals therewith, a chamber above the upper valve seat and a chamber below the lower valve seat. means within the two last mentioned chambers for normally urging each t valve member into closed position, detent means valve member inta closed position, detent means l pension means connected to` the housing and including a member movable with respect to the n housing in response to sudden jerking of the "device through the suspension means for eil'ect- 9. In a device for obtaining representative I samples of fluid from a well bore, the combina--y tion comprising a housing, a pair otvalve seats spaced one above the other within the housing and forming a fluid chamber therebetween, a pair of valve members cooperating with the valve seats to form iluid seais therewith, a chamber above the ipper valve seat anda chamber below the lower valve seat, means within the two last mentioned chambers for normally urging each` valve member into closed position, detent means including a slidable member/and a shear member associated therewith for maintaining the valve members in open positions against the action of the first mentioned means. and suspension means connected to the housing and including a member movable with respectvto the housing in response to sudden jerking of the device through the sus. pension means for effecting shearing of the shear member and release of the valve members.

' ROBERT C. PRYOR. 

